The British proposal to increase support for pharma is “clearly positive,” according to analysts at Leerink, who noted that the NHS’ move will improve patient access to treatments.
Novo will add Akero’s efruxifermin to its MASH portfolio, which includes Wegovy after the GLP-1 gained an FDA nod in the indication earlier this year.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was scheduled to convene Oct. 22 to 23, but this meeting has been postponed, with no new date specified. The delay comes as the VA published new research showing that COVID-19 shots prevented hospitalizations and death.
The layoffs are part of the company’s shift to a new structure enabling cost efficiency for its new model.
Looking for a job in oncology? Check out the BioSpace list of nine companies hiring life sciences professionals like you.
Sanofi’s Orano Med-partnered radioligand therapy AlphaMedix achieved all primary efficacy endpoints, which included a measure of overall response rate, in the mid-stage ALPHAMEDIX-02 study.
FEATURED STORIES
Cell and gene therapy leaders say the agency’s decision to remove the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies that had been attached to approved CAR T cancer therapies reflects “thoughtful consideration of real-world evidence” and “regulatory trust.”
Big Pharmas like Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novartis headed back to the dealmakers table multiple times, with 32 total deals counted across the industry for the first half.
Changing how biopharmas package their products, how regulators review new drugs and how mutated genes are fixed could make ultrarare disease treatments possible.
The FDA delivered two notable approvals for RSV immunization, UroGen overcame a negative advisory committee vote to secure an approval in bladder cancer, and more key regulatory nods from the past month.
In the race to make the most tolerable obesity drug, there seems to be no clear winner—at least not according to analysts parsing the data presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting this week.
Writing in JAMA, four former government officials warn that the Trump administration’s involvement in delaying the approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine could indicate a politicization of the drug approval processes that could ‘imperil public health.’
LATEST PODCASTS
The FDA is mired in uncertainty with some staffers losing their jobs over the weekend and more potentially to come, vaccines and psychedelic therapies could be facing very different futures under newly confirmed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Moderna continues its downward revenue slide and Merck, Regeneron, BMS and more face strong patent headwinds.
In the first podcast in a special series focused on BioSpace’s NextGen Class of 2025, Senior Editor Annalee Armstrong speaks with Dannielle Appelhans, CEO of COUR.
In this episode, presented by the Genscript Biotech Global Forum 2025, BioSpace’s Head of Insights Lori Ellis and Tom Whitehead continue to discuss the patient and caregiver experience, where Tom gives his insights to the future of CGTs.
Job Trends
HUTCHMED (China) Limited (“HUTCHMED”) (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) today announces that its partner Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) has received notification from the European Commission (“EC”) that it has approved FRUZAQLA®.
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SPECIAL EDITIONS
In this deep dive, BioSpace investigates China’s rise as a biotech powerhouse.
In this deep dive, BioSpace explores the next big thing in obesity.
BioSpace did a deep dive into biopharma female executives who navigated difficult markets to lead their companies to high-value exits.
DEALS
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The agreement, in which Merck will pay the biotech an undisclosed initial sum to license drugs targeting a solid tumor, could net Epitopea up to $300 million down the line.
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A cautionary tale illustrates how forging a deal with a Big Pharma can have unexpected and far-reaching tax consequences.
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Back in 2023, Novo Nordisk committed up to $1.3 billion for a hypertension and kidney disease drug from KBP Biosciences. Now, the pharma giant claims to have been misled by the biotech’s founder—and a judge seems to agree.
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The pharma giant inked its third T cell engager deal of 2025 Wednesday—this time with Xilio Therapeutics for tumor-activated immunotherapies.
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Just a few months after Vir Biotechnology lost an emergency authorization for its COVID-19 antibody, Marianne de Backer stepped in as CEO to answer a critical question: What’s next?
WEIGHT LOSS
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Donald Trump takes biopharma on a tariff-themed rollercoaster ride; J&J kicks off the Q1 earnings season; experts express concern about the FDA’s future; Pfizer’s obesity setback could be Viking’s gain; and BioSpace reveals the highest paid pharma CEOs.
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Merck has not disclosed which of its peptide therapies it plans to develop oral formulations for.
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Viking Therapeutics enjoyed a nice share rally on the news that rival Pfizer is discontinuing obesity candidate danuglipron. But the biotech has a long way to go to recover after six straight months of decline.
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Pfizer’s discontinuation of danuglipron brings the company down to a single molecule in its obesity pipeline.
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A consumer-driven weight loss market could put pharma at greater risk if a recession hits; the continued turmoil at FDA and other HHS agencies magnifies the uncertainty facing the industry; Lilly files a lawsuit against a med spa selling its drugs; and more.
POLICY
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Despite rehiring hundreds of FDA, CDC and NIH employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is still a skeleton of its former self under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed the expanded use of RSV vaccines for people 50 through 59 years old who are at risk of severe disease.
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An open letter signed by more than 50 industry executives blasts a “fundamentally, fatally flawed” report that urges greater restrictions on the abortion pill.
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As an office of the executive branch, the Department of Health and Human Services “does not have the authority” to implement sweeping changes to the structure of the agency as created by Congress, a judge wrote.
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Kennedy wants to expand the injury compensation program to include COVID-19 vaccines, while also stretching the “statute of limitations” to more than three years.
With 88% of life sciences organizations using or planning to use AI in recruitment and/or hiring, AI regulation is a priority for the industry.
Despite a government report showing that hiring slowed over the month of June, job postings on BioSpace’s life sciences-focused job board saw a marked increase.
Here are 10 career paths to consider that don’t include bench work, along with role descriptions and links to jobs available now on BioSpace’s job board.
Here are the top biotech companies in California hiring now on BioSpace’s life sciences–focused job board.
To be self-employed in the life sciences, you must have a strong network and background and experience in a relevant area.
While MBAs can reflect positively on job applicants, work experience can often be more valuable, depending on the area.
HOTBEDS
REPORTS
In this Employment Outlook report, BioSpace explores current workforce sentiment, job activity trends and the prospective job and hiring outlook for 2025, particularly as it compares to the previous year.
BioSpace’s third report on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in life sciences examines dramatic shifts in attitude around diversity initiatives.
CANCER
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After losing its powerhouse partner, IGM Biosciences closed “most” of its labs and offices and initiated a strategic review of potential strategic alternatives and options for the business.
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The cell engineering company, co-founded by oncologist and writer Siddhartha Mukherjee, does not see a path forward for its pipeline of early-stage cell therapies for two different types of cancer.
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The Massachusetts biotech will focus its efforts and resources into cemsidomide, an oral drug candidate being trialed for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Keytruda is set to lose exclusivity in 2028, meaning Summit may face competition from cheaper biosimilars. Meanwhile, other branded drugmakers are also seeking to improve on the blockbuster checkpoint inhibitor.
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BNT327, a PD-L1/VEGF therapy, is still currently being manufactured in China, but BioNTech is working to establish a diversified supply chain, executives said during the company’s Q1 investor call.
NEUROSCIENCE
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Cobenfy’s late-stage flop is BMS’ second high-profile failure in as many weeks. The pharma announced last week that Camzyos was unable to improve disease burden in non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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FDA Commissioner Marty Makary talks about his plans to revamp drug development and reduce ‘conflicts of interest’ between the agency and pharma industry; Roche and Regeneron jump on the U.S. manufacturing train as Trump’s tariffs loom; and Eli Lilly scores a big win for orforglipron while Novo Nordisk reveals it has applied for FDA approval of its oral semaglutide.
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The Health and Human Services Secretary said that he will find and eliminate the cause of autism by September, an idea that suggests how little he knows about the condition.
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Jefferies analysts predict Annexon’s tanruprubart could be approved by mid-2026.
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Jazz is being accused of anti-competitive practices regarding its narcolepsy drug, as generic competitors emerge on the market.
CELL AND GENE THERAPY
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The layoffs will take place throughout 2025 and will mostly affect Tenaya’s research and manufacturing operations. The company is continuing to test its hypertrophic cardiomyopathy gene therapy.
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Ayrmid’s offer is 50% higher than bluebird’s previously announced deal with Carlyle and SK Capital Partners.
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Industry updates and investment insights—including investor behavior and fundraising advice—were among the topics experts explored at Charles River Laboratories’ 2025 Cell & Gene Therapy Summit.
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Werner held roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Novartis before landing at Alltrna, where she works to develop tRNA-based treatments for a range of diseases.
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Last month, Deerfield Management accused Alcon of obstructing Aurion’s IPO plans so it could acquire the startup “at a discount.”